How to Have an Affordable Divorce in Tennessee

Wondering How to Have an Affordable Divorce in Tennessee?

The divorce process can be costly. If you are considering divorce, here are some steps that can help to make this process as cheap and affordable as possible. You should not rely on the content of this article without consulting a qualified Tennessee divorce attorney such as Tennessee Murfreesboro Rutherford/ Cannon County divorce attorneys at the Law Firm of Franks & Richardson.

Step 1 – Determining assets and finances

Make a list of all assets or property that is owned by both of you. Separate items that were owned before the marriage (and had no outstanding debt at the time of the marriage). If you purchased a home during the marriage – determine what it is worth and what is owed. Include a list of all bank accounts balances, vehicles as well as retirement accounts and personal property purchased during the marriage.

Step 2 – Determine debts

Make a list of what you and your spouse owe. The easiest way to determine marital debt is to get a copy of your credit report. Any debt you have will be listed on your report. You are entitled to one free credit report a year.

Step 3 – Determining income

If you have children or alimony is an issue, each of you should have proof of monthly income. If you and your spouse are salaried employees, you will need a copy of the most recent pay stubs plus your most recent income tax return. Residents in Murfreesboro have their child support determined according to the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. In Tennessee, child support is determined through a software program where monthly income is one of the factors determining Tennessee child support.

Step 4 – Determine who is going to pay each debt

Make a list of each debt and determine who will pay that debt. Closing all joint credit accounts will help eliminate any issues during the separation process. Make sure all credit card bills are being paid until the divorce is final. In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, an agreed uncontested divorce takes 60 – 90 days to be finalized from the date the pleadings are filed at the Rutherford County Clerks office. Consequently even if you and your spouse agree to everything and hire an attorney at the Law Firm of Franks & Richardson for an uncontested no fault divorce, you are going to have several months before the divorce is final.

Although you may come to an agreement regarding who will pay a joint debt, if your name is on the account, your credit can be affected. Contact creditors to the fact that you are going through a divorce and ask if the debt can be transferred to one spouse’s name if there is an agreement.

Step 5 – Determine who get each assets or property

Under Tennessee law, the court will make an “equitable” distribution of each asset. That means that the court will do its best to make a fair distribution of each asset. Sit down with your spouse and see if you can agree. I have suggested that parties use “post a notes”. Each spouse gets a different and places a post a note on each item. Then you and your spouse can sit down and fairly divide the items that you both want.

Step 6 – Determine the children under a Parenting Plan

In Tennessee, including areas around Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, the court requires that parents who have children under the age of 18, those parents must complete a Parenting Plan. If you are not familiar with a Parenting Plan, call us at 615.585.2487 to request a Parenting Plan.

Step 7 – Ready to proceed through the legal process

Once you and your spouse have agreed to every item including all debt and assets, to find out about how to have an affordable divorce in Tennessee and Rutherford County, go to the website of cheapmurfreesborodivorce.com. If you do not have children and live in Rutherford County, all you need to do is fill out the information, pay the appropriate attorney fee (plus court costs) for an uncontested divorce, call 615.796.6093 to set up a telephone conference with the law firm of Franks & Richardson. If you have children, you can still retain us for an affordable divorce. Just call 615.796.6093 to set up a consultation.

Talk to your spouse before filing the divorce. Though you can’t get around your state’s divorce waiting periods or the court scheduling process, you and your spouse need to agree on all terms if you want the quickest possible divorce. Anytime you can’t come to an agreement, the court must make the decision for you. This makes your divorce take much longer.